Former Nixon Aide Fred Malek to host a lavish fundraiser for Mitt Romney on wife Ann Romney’s birthday. Malek was once arrested in an incident involving the killing and barbecuing of a dog.

“I don’t think Mitt Romney is purposefully trying to do that, but I think he should more careful about who he aligns himself with,” [Scott] Crider [of Dogs Against Romney] says.

Brad Bannon, spokesman of the Super PAC Mitt is Mean, which also highlights Romney’s supposed cruelty toward dogs, says Romney’s cozy relationship with Malek is further evidence of the GOP candidate’s disregard for animals.

“I am surprised Gov. Romney is going to go to this fundraiser and get money from a guy who barbecued a dog, especially with Mitt Romney’s history with dogs. I was shocked and horrified,” Bannon says. “It illustrates Romney’s general indifference to people and to animals. He doesn’t care about poor people, he doesn’t care about his dog, he doesn’t care about what Fred Malek does to dogs, he is the classic cold blooded corporate raider. He just doesn’t care.”